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Parents of patients at MDC ask governor to veto SB 411 04/29/2015 SB 411, the bill to close MDC, is now on the governor's desk. Please ask him to veto it. Call 444-3111 to leave your message.
Legislature adjourns after failing to pass crucial infrastructure bill 04/28/2015 After more shenanigans in the Montana House of Representatives, the session's key infrastructure bill is dead.
Free Conference Committee adopts amendment to fund state employee pay plan 04/23/2015 Free Conference Committee adopts amendment to fund state employee pay plan
MDC: fix it, don't close it 04/17/2015 On their first 2d reading of SB 411 yesterday the House got it right by voting the bill down. Then the House voted to reconsider.
Lowell Bartels: Closing MDC would be irresponsible 04/08/2015 Lowell Bartels, a committed life-time advocate for our disabled citizens, wrote the following guest opinion. Today HB 411, the ill-advised bill to close MDC, will be heard in committee.
Keep Montana Developmental Center open! 04/07/2015 MDC provides treatment and care for Montana's most disturbed citizens - including those with developmental disabilities as well as mental illness. Most of them could not be treated in community settings. Many would have nowhere to go if MDC closes.
regional training 04/02/2015
JumpStart Montana 04/01/2015 We are hosting our 2nd annual NBC JumpStart conference June 22-24 in Missoula. JumpStart is are new NBC facilitation process. It brings together teachers for an intensive workshop that is designed to prepare them to be successful NBC candidates. Our program is modeled after a long standing program in Washington State that has facilitated thousands of successful NBC candidates.
State employees at news conference on HB 13 03/31/2015 Dozens of state employee members participated in a news conference on HB 13, the state pay plan, today at noon. Statement by MEA-MFT Secretary-Treasurer Rich Aarstad.
Montana Developmental Center under attack 03/28/2015
House majority fails to "blast" state pay plan: not over yet 03/28/2015 3-30-15 Last week the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee tabled the state pay plan, HB 13. Then the House majority refused to blast it to the floor for debate. It's not over yet.
Bozeman Chronicle joins outpouring of support for Early Edge 03/20/2015 If bills were passed strictly on the basis of public support, the governor's public preschool plan, Early Edge, would have passed long ago.
Family Foundation targets MT public schools 03/18/2015 Jeff Laszloffy, head of the right-wing Montana Family Foundation, has been a ubiquitious presence at the 2015 Montana Legislature. One of the group's main goals is to pass bills that siphon public funds from public schools to private schools.
Tax dollars for private schools? 03/13/2015 Montanans are clearly opposed to tax benefits for private schools. Which legislators are listening?
State & university employees testify on pay plan March 16 03/13/2015 At long last, the House Appropriations Committee held its hearing on the pay plan – House Bill 13 -- for Montana state employees, including university employees.
No guns on campus 03/12/2015 MEA-MFT strongly opposes SB 143. Can you imagine a Cat-Griz game where fans have guns?
HB 13 finally gets its hearing 03/10/2015 At long last, HB 13 (Swanson), the state employee pay plan, had its hearing March 16.
Who should be Montana's next Teacher of the Year? 03/10/2015 Nominate now: Nomination deadline is April 30, 2015.
Fate of Medicaid expansion 03/09/2015 After three hours of testimony most of which supported HB 249 (Noonan) – Governor Bullock's Medicaid Expansion proposal - House Human Services did the expected. It killed the bill with a "Do Not Pass" motion. But Medicaid expansion might not be dead for this session.
House Committee rejects Early Edge; fight isn't over 03/09/2015 It's disappointing, but this isn't the end for Early Edge.
Gazette agrees with us: SB 107 is a bad idea 03/04/2015 MEA-MFT strongly opposes SB 107. So does the Billings Gazette. Read on. Then please get ready to help fight this bill in the House. It has already passed the Senate.
State employees: take action on the pay plan 02/25/2015 we want our pay plan to be enacted by the legislature, we need to contact our legislators and tell them to hear and support HB13!
Legislative session nears halfway mark 02/24/2015 Montana's 2015 legislature is approaching the halfway mark. It has been a tough session. MEA-MFT leaders, staff, and members are front and center at the legislature every day
Debra Lamm's war on Montana's Common Core 02/17/2015 Representative Debra Lamm (R) – Livingston – formerly the primary lobbyist for the anti-public school Montana Family Foundation and then head of the failed Montanans Against Common Core but now state legislator, has introduced a bag full of anti-common core, anti-board of public education bills.
HB 462 attacks public employee unions: your help needed! 02/16/2015 YOUR union, OUR union is at extreme risk right now. Help stop this dangerous bill.
Two bad bills advance 02/09/2015 Late Friday Feb. 6, the House Education Committee passed HB 322 out of committee and Senate Education passed SB 107.
Join us! State Pay Plan Day of Action Feb. 16 02/09/2015 State employees will once again converge on the state capitol Monday, Feb. 16, for the second State Pay Plan Half Dollar Day of Action. Join us!
HB 377: attack on Montana's academic standards 02/05/2015 House Bill 377 (Sponsored by Debra Lamm, R-Livingston)is a direct attack on Montana's academic standards for math and English. And it's unconstitutional.
Denise Juneau gives outstanding State of Education Address 02/03/2015 Supt. of Public Instruction Denise Juneau gave an outstanding State of Education address yesterday in the MT House of Representatives.
MEA-MFT Regional Training, May 1-2, Missoula 02/02/2015
Nominate for Presidential Math & Science awards 02/02/2015 Nomination deadline: April 1, 2015
Bonding bill: Bob Brown has it right 01/26/2015 Longtime Republican leader Bob Brown of Whitefish has it right on HB 5, the governor's bonding bill, which helps Montanans from the Bakken to Whitefish, including the Montana Historical Society.
State employee pay plan advocates in action 01/20/2015
SB 107 is dangerous - read why 01/19/2015 "Expanding high school districts and constructing new facilities less than five miles from three existing high achieving schools may increase local control, but in reality it only limits the options for local families."
The truth about so-called school "choice" 01/16/2015 What does school "choice" really mean? It means taking tax dollars from public schools, giving the money to private schools.
Montana's graduation rate highest ever 01/14/2015 MEA-MFT member Denise Juneau's wildly successful Graduation Matters program has helped boost our state's high school graduation level to the highest in history!
Bozeman Chronicle says no privatization of public schools 01/06/2015 Privatization of Montana's public schools is one bad idea, not justified by the quality of our schools, and blatantly unconstitutional.
Montana teachers selected as national leaders 12/23/2014 Thirty-two Montana teachers have been selected to participate in the national Teacher Leadership Initiative, a program to develop a new generation of leaders within the teaching profession.
State employee members ratify pay plan agreement 12/22/2014 The vote is in: MEA-MFT's state employee members have ratified the state employee pay plan agreement.
Graduate assistant members at MSU Bozeman ratify their first contract 12/10/2014 Graduate teaching and research assistants at MSU Bozeman will get a fairer deal on the job now that they have bargained and ratified their first contract.
7 more Montana teachers earn National Board Certification 12/03/2014 Seven more Montana teachers recently joined the ranks of the nation's top certified teachers.
State employee pay plan tentative agreement reached 11/06/2014 The team representing Montana's state employee unions and the team for Governor Bullock's office reached a tentative agreement on the state pay plan today.
Craig Beals of Billings: 2015 Montana Teacher of the Year! 09/22/2014 Craig Beals has a message to deliver: "Those who can, teach."
MEA-MFT members star in "Montanans for the Common Core" video project 09/09/2014 Three MEA-MFT members star in the first of several videos featuring Montanans talking about the Montana Common Core Standards. More to come!
Bozeman EA members innovate, create, deliver 09/08/2014 Congratulations to Bozeman Education Assoc. President Tami Phillippi and BEA for securing this major grant from one of MEA-MFT's two national affiliates, the National Education Assoc.
Gov Bullock to kids: Work hard, have fun 08/27/2014 Montana Governor Steve Bullock has this inspirational back-to-school message for Montana's kids.
Melanie Charlson is new VP of MEA-MFT 08/04/2014 The MEA-MFT Board of Directors voted August 2 to elect Melanie Charlson as the new vice president of MEA-MFT.
7 MT teachers are state finalists in presidential awards 07/31/2014 Seven Montana Teachers Chosen as State Finalists for Presidential Science and Math Teaching Awards
Top MT teachers to celebrate effective teaching 07/16/2014 First-ever "ECET2-Montana" event (Elevating & Celebrating Effective Teaching & Teachers)
Anne Keith on the new math standards 06/30/2014 Bozeman math teacher Anne Keith is a National Board Certified Montana Teacher of the Year. She wrote this essay supporting Montana's Career and College Ready Standards, once upon a time referred to as "common core."
Video: ALEC in Montana 06/12/2014 Montana PBS did a great documentary on how the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is working in secret to pass its bills in state legislatures -- including Montana's. Don't miss this!
Anna Baldwin & the Warrior Trail 05/14/2014 MEA-MFT member Anna Baldwin, Montana Teacher of the Year, brought her students from Arlee High School to spend part of the day with Governor Steve Bullock yesterday. It's quite a story.
Stand up to ALEC! 05/14/2014 The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) claims its education mission is to "promote excellence in the nation's educational system," yet its "model" legislation advocates for policies that defund public services, distort the curriculum, and undercut our educators.
MEA-MFT applauds Sen. Tester's NURSE Act to address school nurse shortage 05/07/2014 MEA-MFT, Montana's largest labor union, today applauded Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester for introducing a bill to increase the number of school nurses in America's k-12 public schools.
Sen. Tester passes resolution honoring public servants 05/06/2014 In honor of Public Service Recognition Week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senator Jon Tester (Montana) honoring federal, state and local government employees, both civilian and military, for their dedication and continued service to the United States.
MEA-MFT member named top technology instructor for U.S. and Canada 05/02/2014 Congratulations to MEA-MFT member Bruce Brumley, technology teacher for City College at Montana State University Billings.
Billings members receive $5,000 grant 04/23/2014 MEA-MFT members Susan Irion and Kristie Martin have received a $5,000 Learning & Leadership Grant from the NEA Foundation.
MEA-MFT celebrates Members of the Year 04/15/2014 Members of the Year are leaders in their professions and in their local MEA-MFT unions. They are extraordinarily dedicated to the Montana citizens they serve and to their coworkers.
On the shoulders of giants: MEA-MFT Hall of Fame 04/09/2014 MEA-MFT recently created a Hall of Fame to honor the heroes and trail blazers who made this union the stronghold of hope that it is today.
Moved, motivated, & fired up: RA 2014 03/31/2014 "Energy, excitement -- people were buzzing."
MT Tech students & profs protest right wing speaker 03/27/2014 Some faculty and students at Montana Tech plan an unprecedented boycott of the university's spring commencement in protest of the ceremony's featured speakers, a wealthy couple from Bozeman whose critics say have radical social and religious views.
Medicaid expansion back on track 03/27/2014 Initiative 170 (I-170) will make health coverage through Medicaid available for an additional 70,000 low-income Montanans. It would create thousands of jobs in Montana. It's the right thing to do.
Supreme Court says no to LR 127 03/25/2014 LR 127 is gone. A good day for voters' rights.
Great news on Montana's state health centers 03/17/2014 Montana's new state health centers are saving money for state employees and taxpayers alike. And they're improving state workers' health. The results are even better than expected.
Launching the Montana Digital Professional Learning Network 03/03/2014 MEA-MFT is working in partnership with the Montana Digital Academy, School Administrators of Montana, and the Office of Public Instruction to help schools implement the standards smoothly and on Montana's terms.
Member Brent Lonner featured in national publication 02/11/2014 MEA-MFT member Brent Lonner, a wildlife biologist with the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, is prominently featured on the front cover of AFT's Spring 2014 Public Employee Advocate.
MEA-MFT member Angela McLean chosen as Lt. Gov. 02/10/2014 Governor Steve Bullock has tapped Anaconda teacher and the chair of the Montana Board of Regents, Angela McLean, to serve as Montana's 31st Lieutenant Governor.
MT's school community unites behind MUST 02/04/2014 Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA), School Administrators of Montana (SAM), MEA-MFT, and the Montana Rural Education Association (MREA) are pleased to come together in support of the Montana Unified School Trust (MUST), whose sole mission is to provide health benefits to Montana's public schools.
Good news for public employee pensions 02/03/2014 The Tea Party legislators who want to undo Montana's current defined benefit pensions for public employees should read this:
Presidential Awardees support Common Core 01/23/2014
PERS & TRS GABA reduction stopped for now 01/22/2014 Good news: The litigation that MEA-MFT helped sponsor has resulted in reduction of GABA (Guaranteed Annual Benefit Adjustment) for PERS & TRS retirees being suspended for now.
17 more Montana teachers earn National Board Certification 01/21/2014 Congratulations to the 17 Montana teachers who recently achieved National Board Certification, thus joining the ranks of the nation's top K-12 educators.
Presidential math and science winners 01/21/2014 Elizabeth Matthews, Gallatin Gateway School, Gallatin Gateway (Science)and Melissa Romano, Four Georgians Elementary, Helena (Math)are presidential winners.
Important tax information for members 01/03/2014 Important tax notice: You can deduct your MEA-MFT dues from your taxes, but only if you itemize deductions, and only if your dues plus other miscellaneous deductions add up to at least 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.
Judge grants injunction stopping GABA reduction in TRS 12/30/2013 Late in the afternoon of Dec. 27, Judge Mike Menahan granted MEA-MFT's request for a preliminary injunction that prevents the state from implementing a serious GABA reduction come January 1 in the Teachers Retirement System.
New project to build power for state employee members 12/03/2013 MEA-MFT and its state employee members have launched a new project to build power within state employee locals.
Eileen Sheehy recognized as one of nation's top teachers 11/21/2013 WASHINGTON, DC – MEA-MFT member Eileen Sheehy will be recognized as one of the nation's top teachers in February.
Common Core: Myths Undressed 10/23/2013 Please check out what one of Montana's most distinguished educators has to say, yet again, about Common Core and the wrong-headed myths opponents like to spread.
PERS amortizes! 10/11/2013 As expected, as a result of HB 454 passed in the last legislative session, the Montana Public Employees' Retirement [Pension] System now amortizes. This is great news.
Teachers Retirement GABA complaint officially filed 10/11/2013 Pursuant to our belief the 2013 legislature unnecessarily stepped over constitutional and statutory lines when it amended reductions in guaranteed annual benefit adjustments into HB 377 that has amortized and saved the Teachers Retirement System as a pension system, this morning in a Helena district court, MEA-MFT and individual named plaintiffs filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Relief.
Good news: MUST partners with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Montana 10/09/2013 Effective July 1, 2014, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana will begin processing medical, dental, and vision claims for all MUST members.
22 Montana Teachers of the Year issue statement supporting Common Core 10/04/2013 In an unprecedented move, 22 Montana Teachers of the Year have banded together to make a statement. These teachers strongly support Montana's Common Core Standards.
Health care cost containment for state employees puts more money on Montana main streets 09/24/2013 due to recent cost containment measures for the State's employee health care plan and an increase in the state share, employees' cost for health care will decrease in January 2014.
Anna Baldwin of Arlee named 2014 Montana Teacher of the Year 09/23/2013 Anna Baldwin "basically didn't believe it" when she got the phone call from Eileen Sheehy at 8:00 last night, telling her she had been selected as the 2014 Montana Teacher of the Year.
50 year anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" 08/22/2013 Dr. King's legacy was about public education & unions as well as civil rights.
Great news: Montana pension investments gain 10% 08/22/2013 The folks who invest and manage your pension dollars are doing a great job. Here's proof.
Fund public services, end corporate tax dodging 08/21/2013 MEA-MFT member-leaders Shannon Bender and Jill Cohenour led the charge today at a rally urging Congress to stop corporate tax dodging and restore funding for education and other crucial public services.
221 Montana children forced out of Head Start by sequestration cuts 08/20/2013 Nationwide, Head Start programs will have to eliminate services for 57,265 children in the coming school year -- including 221 in Montana -- due to sequestration's automatic, across-the-board spending cuts.
Montana Developmental Center members celebrate excellence 08/13/2013 MEA-MFT members working at the Montana Developmental Center (MDC) in Boulder joined with clients and their families August 9 to celebrate MDC's pursuit of excellence.
MEA-MFT will litigate against attacks on GABA for TRS & PERS retirees 06/14/2013 "We are working right now with other advocate organizations representing current and future retirees on a common, comprehensive legal challenge," said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver.
Deal reached on state employee pay 06/10/2013 Governor Steve Bullock's administration and Montana's state employee unions have reached an agreement to institute pay raises over each of the next two years.
Praise for Corrections employees 06/10/2013 Bob Anez to Corrections employees: "No matter how anonymous you are and no matter what you do, the ripples from your role in ensuring the public safety of Montanans reach all corners of this state every single day. Don't forget the work you do saves lives."
Public employee pensions protected 06/04/2013 The 2013 Montana legislative session was do-or-die time for saving Montana's public employee pension systems and making them actuarially sound. Working with Governor Steve Bullock and other allies, we did it.
Gov. Bullock signs school funding bill, vetoes privatization bill 05/06/2013 Today, Governor Steve Bullock signed SB 175 (L.Jones) - to fund public schools - as passed by the legislature. This is the bipartisan bill that MEA-MFT and the rest of Montana's public school community worked so hard together to pass this session.
Students need governor's signature on SB175 04/25/2013 MEA-MFT agrees with the Billings Gazette on this.
Session over: Against all odds, we did well 04/24/2013 The Senate has adjourned sine die. Session over. The news on this strange day should be very interesting.
House adjourns after passing school privatization bill 04/24/2013 Unfortunately, before adjourning the House passed SB 81 (Lewis) – to authorize tax credits for private and religious education school scholarships.
HB 377 (save TRS) passes 3rd reading 04/22/2013 HB 377, the bill to amortize the Teachers Retirement System, just passed its final vote.
HB 454 (PERS fix) passes final hurdle 04/22/2013 HB 454, the bill to amortize and save the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) just passed House 3d reading.
HB 13 passes legislature 04/20/2013 HB 13 (Swanson) – the state employee pay – has officially passed the legislature.
School funding bill on its way to governor's desk 04/19/2013
Rep. Assembly delegates rededicate themselves to the cause 04/18/2013 From Libby to Wolf Point, East Glacier to Glasgow and all points in between, MEA-MFT members from across Montana came to Helena for the annual MEA-MFT Representative Assembly (RA) April 5 and 6.
Tammy Pilcher elected vice president of MEA-MFT 04/18/2013 MEA-MFT Representative Assembly delegates elected a new vice president April 5: Tammy Pilcher.
MEA-MFT celebrates 2013 Members of the Year 04/18/2013 Congratulations to Alex Schaeffer, Michael Hoffman, and Marilyn Besich!
Pension bills pass 3rd reading, school funding advances 04/17/2013 An amazing couple of days at the Montana Legislature.
Please support businesses that support state employees! 04/11/2013 The following businesses proudly display flyers proclaiming their support for Montana state employees. Please wear your 5/5 pins to these businesses and THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT!! And please give them your support.
Members testify for HB 13 04/10/2013 MEA-MFT members and others testified eloquently in support of HB 13, the state pay plan, before the Senate Finance and Claims Committee April 9.
More than 300 delegates attend 2013 Rep. Assembly 04/08/2013 Locally elected MEA-MFT from all over Montana came to Helena for the annual Representative Assembly April 5 and 6.
Need help with your student loan? 04/02/2013 MEA-MFT created this program back in the 2007 legislative session. It has already assisted hundreds of qualifying Montana public school teachers. Check it out. You may qualify. Applicatinon deadline: April 30, 2013.
Voting yes for AFMSU 03/28/2013 Faculty at Montana State University Bozeman are voting now on the issue of whether to keep their four-year-old union, the Associated Faculty of MSU (AFMSU). Union supporters on campus produced this great video about their choice to vote YES for AFMSU.
HB 13 passes the House 03/27/2013 Good news: HB 13, the state pay plan, has passed the House. This means it's still alive, still in play, and we still have a chance to fully fund it and restore 5 & 5 for all state employees.
Pension bills and state pay plan pass House: on to Senate 03/27/2013 The Montana House has just passed the state pay plan, along with the governor's bills to amortize and thus save the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) and Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
MT Developmental Center saved - again 03/22/2013 The Montana Developmental Center survived another close call in the legislature yesterday. The bill to close MDC (SB 254) was originally killed in committee on a bipartisan vote. The bill's sponsor then succeeded in passing a "blast" motion to bring it to the floor of the House for debate and a vote.
Montana's education community gathers for Day of Advocacy 03/19/2013 This legislative session, Montana teachers, school administrators, trustees, and other public school advocates are working together as never before on behalf of Montana's children and their education.
Pay plan bill altered in committee 03/18/2013 House Appropriations Committee finally acted on HB 13, the state pay plan.
Protect our public schools: help stop SB 374 03/15/2013 Senate Bill 374 (Lewis) is a bill to take taxpayer dollars away from Montana's public schools and give the money to "charter" schools. It's bad for our public schools, children, and MEA-MFT members.
HB 13 wounded but not dead 03/14/2013 "HB 13 is not dead. Wounded, but not dead."
Head Start funding bill goes down 03/14/2013 The House Education Committee voted No on MEA-MFT's Head Start funding bill (HB 353) on a party line vote. Democrats voted yes, Republicans no.
SB 175: school funding & property tax relief 03/12/2013 SB 175 is the main k-12 school funding bill of this session. Watch a video of Eric Feaver talking about the bill.
"Free HB 13!" say state employees 03/08/2013 More than 30 Montana state employees lined the halls outside the House Appropriations Committee today during their lunch break, holding signs saying, "Free HB 13." The signs showed House Bill 13 behind bars.
Protecting your pension 03/06/2013 For MEA-MFT, protecting our members' pensions is a top priority for the 2013 legislative session.
Anti-public school bills abound 03/04/2013 We are seeing an all-out assault on public schools this legislative session. To date, six bills meant to privatize public schools have been introduced. And so far, they are passing.
MEA-MFT and allies release mid-session voting record 03/04/2013 MEA-MFT and our allies in Montana public education have been working together as never before during the 2013 Montana Legislature.
Major school funding bill advances 03/04/2013 SB 175, sponsored by Sen. Llew Jones, is the k-12 school funding bill of this session – and it passed the Senate Feb. 23. Now it must pass the House.
School privatization bill advances 02/20/2013 The Montana Senate has passed SB 81 (Lewis) – a "tuition tax credit" bill to create taxpayer funded public, private, and religious school scholarship organizations and scholarships.
More than 100 state employees gather for Pay Plan Day of Action 02/18/2013 State and university employees from across Montana gathered at the state capitol for the second Pay Plan Day of Action today.
Charter school bill dies on 3rd reading 02/12/2013 House Bill 315, the charter school bill, just died on third reading in the House this afternoon.
The charter school hoax 02/06/2013 The truth about charter schools.
Education funding makeover bill 02/04/2013 MEA-MFT and our partners in the education coalition have been very involved in working on this bill. It's a work in progress. We support SB 175, the bill described in this article.
Save the Montana Developmental Center! 02/04/2013 Some legislators in the 2013 Montana Legislature are talking seriously about closing the Montana Developmental Center in Boulder.
Legislators gunning for your pension 01/30/2013 Protecting public employees' and teachers' pensions is one of MEA-MFT's top priorities this legislative session. Some legislators are gunning for your pension.
Koch brothers champion private schools in Montana 01/29/2013 The notorious right-wing, billionaire Koch brothers sent their minions to Montana's capitol yesterday, in their attempt to tear down Montana's quality public schools.
HB 13 hearing: members hit it out of the park 01/24/2013 Several MEA-MFT members testified yesterday at the hearing on HB 13, the state pay plan. Along with other state and higher education employees, they did an excellent job of making the case for passing HB 13 and lifting the salary freeze.
200+ participate in Pay Plan Day of Action 01/22/2013 More than 200 Montana state and higher education employees took part in the State Pay Plan Day of Action.
Our legislative agenda 01/22/2013 Buckle your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy legislative session. MEA-MFT is ready for the ride.
Martin Luther King & Day of Action 01/21/2013 MEA-MFT member and legislator Amanda Curtis shares this timely quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. -- just in time for the State Pay Plan Day of Action:
Montana Digital Academy picking up steam 01/18/2013 MEA-MFT had a huge impact on making this successful program a reality.
The United States of ALEC 01/18/2013 This new Bill Moyers documentary shows how the private sector and state politicians are teaming up to enact laws that increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. They're doing it in Montana, too. Right now.
Did You Know? Stories about our great schools 01/08/2013 "Did You Know...Stories About the Great Work of Montana's Schools" was created by asking parents, administrators, teachers, and others about some of the innovative programs taking place in their local schools.
Essential truths about our schools 12/21/2012 MEA-MFT recently teamed up with other other education advocacy groups in Montana to produce a major new document, "Essential Truths About the Great Work of Montana's Public Schools."
State employees warm the hearts of homeless kids 12/19/2012 MEA-MFT member and state employee Cheryl Parker, a compliance specialist at the state's Child Support Enforcement Division in Missoula, shares this wonderful story of holiday giving:
Sandy Welch drops recount request 12/11/2012 Republican Sandy Welch is dropping her request for a recount in the state schools superintendent race that she narrowly lost to incumbent Denise Juneau.
MEA-MFT joins lawsuit challenging "Proof of Citizenship" Referendum 12/10/2012 Public employees shouldn't be held liable for determining whether a person is a legal immigrant or not. That's why MEA-MFT has joined with the Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance in a lawsuit to challenge and enjoin Legislative Referendum 121.
The latest on our pay plan ULP 11/29/2012 Ongoing saga of our Unfair Labor Practice charge saying the 2011 Legislature failed to bargain in good faith when it didn't pass the state pay plan.
Cecil B. Crawford featured in news story 11/28/2012 Cecil B. Crawford, MEA-MFT board member and 2012 Education Support Professional of the Year, was featured recently in a full-length article in the Missoulian.
Denise Juneau wins 11/21/2012 With the provisional ballots now in, Denise Juneau wins the superintendent of public instruction race. Great news!
Pupils before profit: Amanda Curtis 11/21/2012 MEA-MFT member Amanda Curtis wrote the following guest editorial debunking myths about charter schools. Amanda teaches math in Butte and has been elected to serve in the 2013 Montana Legislature.
Jan LaBonty on charter schools 11/21/2012 MEA-MFT member Jan LaBonty has written an excellent guest editorial exposing on the myth of charter schools.
TRS can be fixed - here's how 11/20/2012 Here is "the rest of the story," the real story about unfunded liability in the Montana Teachers' Retirement System
Election results 11/14/2012 MEA-MFT and our members worked our hearts out for our endorsed candidates, the candidates who believe in public services, public education, and employees' rights. It paid off.
Eileen Sheehy is 2013 Montana Teacher of the Year! 09/24/2012 Congratulations to Montana's newest Teacher of the Year!
Learn more about the new Health Center for state employees 08/29/2012 Learn more about the Montana Health Center, a primary care and urgent care clinic for State of Montana employees and their dependents covered on the State's health plan. The Center opens in Helena Friday August 31.
Former MEA-MFT vice president Jim McGarvey dies 08/28/2012 Jim McGarvey, former vice president of MEA-MFT and longtime president of the former Montana Federation of Teachers, passed away this morning.
Why do the Koch brothers want to destroy public schools? 08/16/2012 Charles and David Koch, the infamous right-wing billionaires who are trying to destroy unions, are also out to get public schools. Watch this telling video.
LR 123 is OFF THE BALLOT 08/10/2012 The Montana Supreme Court ruled today upholding the District Court decision that Legislative Referendum 123 is indeed blatantly unconstitutional and therefore will not appear on Montana's November ballot.
MEA-MFT members at AFT convention 07/30/2012 Fifteen folks from MEA-MFT particiated in the AFT convention July 27-30 in Detroit, MI.
What ALEC has in mind for public schools 07/24/2012 Remember ALEC, the corporate group that secretly spoon feeds bills to state legislatures? Including bills to privatize public schools, take away public employees' bargaining rights, and kill teacher tenure? Watch this new video, showing ALEC's efforts to divert public school dollars to private CEOs' bank accounts.
Eric Feaver responds to group broadcasting state employee salaries 07/18/2012 MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver has sent the following letter to the Montana Policy Institute regarding its new web site that broadcasts state employees' compensation.
LR 123: Something wicked this way comes 07/13/2012 Legislative Referendum 123 is a ballot measure that gives tax rebates to the richest Montanans even if it means slashing funds for schools, public safety, and all other public services. It is slated to appear on Montana's November ballot. We can stop it. You can help.
LR 123: a dangerous gimmick 07/10/2012 Ed Jasmin, a longtime Montana businessman, banker, and Board of Regents member, recently penned this guest editorial against Legislative Referendum 123.
NEA Director John Stocks visits Montana reservation schools 06/30/2012 MEA-MFT members working in Montana's Indian reservation schools do heroic work for children. They do it in the face of overwhelming poverty, isolation, and harsh conditions most Americans can't even imagine – including the politicians in Washington, DC who make policy decisions about education.
Two Montana teachers win presidential awards for math & science 06/29/2012 Congratulations to Carol Pleninger and Tammy Johnson, Montana's two new national presidential awardees for science & math teaching.
Student loan rate hike stopped! 06/29/2012 With just days to go before the final deadline, members of Congress reached a deal to stop interest rates on student loans from doubling.
State employee union members ratify pay plan agreement 06/27/2012 Rank-and-file state employee members of MEA-MFT and our fellow unions have voted overwhelmingly to ratify the pay plan agreement negotiated earlier this month.
Do you suspect child abuse? Law requires you to report it 06/20/2012 If you suspect a child has been physically, mentally, or emotionally abused or neglected, the law requires you to report it to DPHHS.
Wisconsin: Walker stays, the fight goes on 06/06/2012 In Wisconsin, unlimited corporate money carried the day in the recall election of Gov. Scott Walker.
MEA-MFT Members of the Year on radio news 04/26/2012 Listen MEA-MFT's 2012 Members of the Year -- Cecil B. Crawford, Shannon Bender, Kari Cargill, and Sandy Osborne -- on radio news.
Tax Day: thank taxes 04/17/2012 Tax Day is here. It's the day we pool our resources as citizens to buy the things that create a civilized society.
Gov. Schweitzer unveils plan to fix PERS & TRS 04/11/2012 MEA-MFT supports the governor's plan to do what must be done to eliminate unfunded liability in the Teachers' and Public Employees' Retirement Systems.
Bob Brown says "NO" on LR 123 04/10/2012
MSU graduate employees join MEA-MFT 04/10/2012 Welcome to the nearly 600 graduate assistant employees at MSU-Bozeman, who have voted by a whopping margin to form a union and join MEA-MFT!
Schools get $4.6 million thanks to Steve Bullock 04/05/2012 Note that without the able and committed leadership of Attorney General Steve Bullock, there would have been no deal at all.
Feaver testifies on public employee retirement 04/04/2012 MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver testifies before the Legislative Finance Committee on public employees' and teachers' retirement.
Rep. Assembly rocks! 04/02/2012 More than 400 MEA-MFT delegates rocked the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula March 30-31 at the MEA-MFT Representative Assembly.
LR 119 declared unconstitutional 03/21/2012 Should Montanans keep the right to elect their state supreme court justices and chief justice? Some legislators don't think so.
Wisconsin, one year later 03/12/2012 Reclaim Wisconsin! On Saturday March 10, 2012, more than 62,000 Wisconsinites returned to their state capitol to mark the one year anniversary of the passage of Gov. Walker's union-busting bill.
Congrats to MEA-MFT's members of the year! 02/06/2012 Each year, MEA-MFT honors several members who have made outstanding contributions in their jobs and as MEA-MFT leaders. MEA-MFT recently named our 2012 members of the year.
Sensible solutions for state pensions 01/19/2012 Our public employee retirement systems are not going bankrupt today or tomorrow or in the immediate future. We have plenty of time to address unfunded liabilities if our legislature would abandon pension-envy politics and hysterical, too predictably partisan, rhetoric.
Dr. King, education, public service, & labor unions 01/13/2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to working for a more just and equal society. He believed that public education was the great arm of justice. He honored public servants as heroes. He believed in labor unions.
Good news about Head Start 11/11/2011 Head Start has been in the national news a lot lately. And the results are good.
MSU-Bozeman members ratify first contract 10/31/2011 The vote is in, and history has been made: Members of the Associated Faculty of Montana State University (AFMSU) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreements. Members voted on the agreements Wednesday, Oct. 26. The vote was counted today at MSU.
MEA-MFT works with regents to prioritize salaries 10/11/2011 MEA-MFT has worked extensively with the regents and Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns to put university and faculty salaries first. "Montana faculty salaries already are among the lowest in the nation," said Tom Burgess, MEA-MFT's field consultant for higher education locals.
MEA-MFT fights dangerous ballot measure 10/06/2011 MEA-MFT has joined other groups in filing a lawsuit against a dangerous ballot measure.
Unions submit demand to bargain on state pay plan 10/04/2011
Tom Pedersen is Montana Teacher of the Year 2012! 09/30/2011 Congratulations to Tom Pedersen, science teacher at Capital High School in Helena, Montana Teacher of the Year for 2012!
Obama: states can opt out of NCLB - with conditions 09/24/2011 President Obama announced that states can opt out of the most rigid requirements of the No Child Left Behind law.
Workplace bullying resources 09/12/2011 MEA-MFT Faculty Member of the Year Grant Mitman recommends the following resources on workplace bullying, from a special session at this year's NEA Representative Assembly.
Unions negotiate freeze for state employee health insurance costs 08/23/2011 Good news for Montana state employees! MEA-MFT, the Montana Public Employees Association, and AFSCME have worked a deal with Governor Schweitzer to freeze, for the next plan year, increases in state employee health insurance costs.
National poll shows strong support for teachers 08/17/2011 Americans admire and respect public school teachers more than ever. They respect the teaching profession, they like their local schools, and they recognize the role funding plays in school qualtiy.
Denise Juneau leads rebellion against NLCB 08/15/2011 Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau recently took on the U.S. Dept. of Education and the supremely flawed No Child Left Behind law -- and won.
Americans want jobs, not cuts to Social Security & Medicare 08/12/2011 The American Dream movement is busy this summer telling Congress what Americans really want when it comes to government spending and the economy. There's a Contract For The American Dream that lays out a progressive alternative to austerity policies.
Thanks to MEA-MFT, 141 teachers get help with student loans 08/11/2011 Read the article below, and know that after several legislative years of trying, MEA-MFT created the Montana student loan repayment program for teachers in the 2007 legislative session.
Stock Market Plunge Just What The Tea Party Ordered? 08/09/2011
Montana Schools of Promise 08/07/2011 Montana Superintendent Denise Juneau has taken on a huge task, but if anyone can lead Montana toward real schools of promise, she can. And MEA-MFT will help every step on the way.
ALEC outed: the right-wing conspiracy behind bad bills 08/04/2011 Who's behind efforts to destroy public employee unions in Wisconsin and elsewhere, shove right-wing legislation through state legislatures, and turn over public services to for-profit corporations? Meet ALEC.
Matt Damon lauds teachers at Save Our Schools rally 08/02/2011 "Millions of us are behind you. We love you!" actor Matt Damon told public school teachers at the national "Save Our Schools" march and rally in Washington, D.C., July 30.
The debt ceiling deal: our take 08/02/2011 MEA-MFT is evaluating exactly how badly the newly adopted federal deficit/debt ceiling act will impact Montana public programs and services.
Unnecessary cuts hard to forget 07/22/2011 As we begin this fiscal new year, it's a good time to think about what your state legislators are working toward: Long-term prosperity for Montana? Or pulling the rug out from under those trying to make a better life for themselves and their communities?
Carolyn Sime: A class act! 07/22/2011 A class act MEA-MFT member doing Work that Matters!
Unions key to reviving the middle class, Krugman says 07/12/2011 Many of the remedies being misapplied to the nation's ailing economy are nothing more than public policy myths that grew out of the oil-shock recessions of 40 years ago, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman told an AFT TEACH conference audience on July 11.
MEA-MFT 2011 Legislative Voting Record 06/20/2011 The grades are in for the 2011 Montana Legislature. How did your legislators do on our issues? Read the MEA-MFT 2011 Legislative Voting Record and find out.
Pay plan update 06/16/2011 Montana's executive branch responds to the Unfair Labor Practice charge filed by MEA-MFT and our fellow unions.
Yep, the money was there 06/15/2011 All through the 2011 session, MEA-MFT said the money was there to fund public education and public services. And it was. Every dollar of destructive cuts made by the 2011 Legislature were completely unnecessary.
UM Western prof wins national award 06/10/2011 Students of MEA-MFT member Delena Norris-Tull know to pull on their boots before class.
Paraprofessionals Achieving Standards Successfully (PASS) 06/07/2011 PASS for paras MEA-MFT's acclaimed course to help Montana paraprofessionals meet the "high quality" definition in the No Child Left Behind Act
Keep the Rally Alive! 06/04/2011 Please help keep the spirit of our April 1 No Fooling with our Future Rally strong!
Letter to the governor on state pay plan 05/17/2011 MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver submitted the following open letter to Governor Brian Schweitzer to newspapers across Montana in May.
Denise Juneau vs NCLB 05/12/2011 Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau recently drew a line in the sand with the No Child Left Behind Act.
State budget: where it stands 05/02/2011 It was almost so much worse.
Session over 05/02/2011 The 2011 Montana Legislature has finally ground to a halt. Final bill status report
How high are taxes? 04/30/2011 Despite the outcry from conservatives about taxes, tax collections are in fact at historic lows and tax rates for the rich have been declining for years.
Outstanding Math & Science Teachers 04/28/2011 Two Montana teachers have been named as 2010 outstanding math and science teachers by President Obama.
Victory on teacher tenure! 04/27/2011 The House rejected SB 315 (Ripley) - a bill to redefine good cause and truncate due process in the teacher tenure statutes.
House rejects state pay plan again 04/21/2011 The Montana House voted to reconsider the state pay plan, HB 13, today. Then, following heated debated, the bill died on second reading, 42-58.
Jim McGarvey to retire 04/19/2011 im McGarvey, executive secretary of the Montana State AFL-CIO and former MEA-MFT vice president, announced plans to retire this week.
Help pass the jobs bill 04/18/2011 Apr. 18 - Today, the only real jobs bill – HB 439 (Hollenbaugh) - is up for what could be its final vote, in the House. It must receive at least 67 or a 2/3ds vote. You can help.
Teacher tenure attack still in play 04/13/2011 For the second time, the Montana House has passed consideration of SB 315 (Ripley), the attack on teacher tenure. Your e-mails are working. Keep it up!
Veto branding begins 04/13/2011 Several MEA-MFT members, governance, and staff walked across the street from MEA-MFT's headquarters office in Helena to attend Governor Schweitzer's branding party today.
Budget cut battle 04/12/2011 Apr 13 - Where the budget battles stands now. All cuts hurt!
HB603 tabled! 04/11/2011 Great news: HB 603, the insidious school privatization bill, was tabled Apr. 11. SB 315 remains and needs your URGENT ACTION.
Rep. Assembly report 04/06/2011 The largest MEA-MFT Representative Assembly (RA) in history took place in Helena April 1-2. More than 350 delegates attended, representing 97 MEA-MFT locals.
MEA-MFT Members of the Year 04/06/2011 More than 350 MEA-MFT members from across Montana honored three of their peers at a gala celebration in Helena April 1.
Vets Home saved for 3rd time 04/04/2011 Once again, MEA-MFT and our members have stopped an attempt to close and privatize the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
2,000+ attend No Fooling with our Future Rally 04/01/2011 "The money is there. Where are your VALUES?" That's the message participants sent to the Montana Legislature at our "No Fooling with our Future Rally."
Putting a face on the budget cuts 03/29/2011 MEA-MFT is part of a coalition called the Partnership for Montana's Future, which just completed a video that puts a face -- many faces, actually -- to the Montana Legislature's needless budget cuts. Take a look.
School funding bill dies 03/24/2011 The Senate has killed SB 403 (Jones) – the latest k-12 school funding bill. Schools contemplate layoffs due to legislative gridlock.
Dangerous: HB 603 03/24/2011 HB 603 is one of the most dangerous school privatization bills ever introduced.
No Fooling w/our Future Rally Apr. 1 03/23/2011 At least a thousand Montanans from all over the state are expected to attend the rally against the legislature's senseless cuts to state services and education. Join us April 1 for the rally!
500+ attend Rally to Save Public Services & Education 03/09/2011 More than 500 Montanans braved the winter weather to travel to Helena Feb. 21 for a Rally to Save Public Services and Education.
Gov. defends public employee unions 02/25/2011 Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer gave an eloquent defense of public employees and teachers unions on MSNBC today.
The money IS there 02/24/2011 Legislatiave Fiscal Analyst says the State of Montana will collect $97 million more in revenues over the next 2½ years than he projected in mid-November. Yet still the majority party insists on draconian cuts.
The anti-union agenda 02/24/2011 These two editorials speak to a phenomenon we're seeing in Montana too – and MEA-MFT is fighting back.
Attack on tenure passes 02/23/2011 SB 315 passed weakens Montana's tenure laws for teachers for no good reason. We'll keep fighting it.
Bill to roll back state salaries 02/17/2011 HB 569, sponsored by Wayne Stahl (R-Saco), would roll back state employee salaries to October 1, 2005.
MT Teacher of the Year tells all 02/10/2011 MEA-MFT member and Montana 2011 Teacher of the Year Paul Andersen spoke to the Montana Legislature Feb. 9 about his ideas for improving education. Wow!
State budget cuts now over $1 billion! 02/07/2011 As of Feb. 3, 2011, the Republicans who control the Montana Legislature have made cumulative decisions that will cut the next state budget $1.3 billion below the governor's proposed budget.
One bad bill down 02/04/2011
Governor lauds value of education 01/31/2011 Governor Brian Schweitzer said it all when he spoke about public education during his State of the State address Jan. 25: "The best path to a higher paying job is a good education. If you choose to cut funding for public education, you do so as a reflection of your values, because we have the money in the bank." Listen for yourself.
Montanans rally against cuts 01/31/2011 More than 100 people from around Montana rallied Jan. 28 against legislative committees' cuts to budgets for education and health and human service programs.
Day of Action a great success 01/18/2011 Nearly 100 state and university employees from across Montana participated in our Work That Matters Day of Action, Jan. 17, 2011.
Job-killing move at the legislature 01/12/2011 Jan. 10 - In a job-killing move, majority Republicans at the 2011 Legislature voted to chop some $500 million from Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer's proposals for the next two-year period.
Super classroom creativity: Montana style 01/11/2011 Public school teachers are some of the most creative folks on the planet. MEA-MFT asked some of our teacher/members for examples of innovative teaching, and we received dozens of replies. Here are a few of them. Move over, Superman.
Congratulations, NBC teachers! 01/11/2011 Seven more Montana teachers – all MEA-MFT members -- recently joined the ranks of the nation's top certified teachers.
Paul Andersen is National Teacher of the Year finalist! 01/11/2011 Bozeman teacher and MEA-MFT member Paul Andersen has been selected as one of four finalists in the National Teacher of the Year Program – the highest honor a U.S. teacher can achieve.
Budget cuts without cause 01/06/2011
Head Start members speak up on new federal rules 01/02/2011
"Superman" critics speak out 01/02/2011 Across the nation, educators and others are pointing out the foibles in the film "Waiting for 'Superman.'" Here are some examples:
Open season on teachers: Waiting for Superman 01/02/2011 Teacher bashing sank to new depths this fall with the release of Waiting for "Superman," a film that claims to analyze the failures of the American public school system.
Striking back: super myths in "Superman" 01/02/2011 From high stakes testing to charter schools, Waiting for "Superman" is full of super myths.
Local Values Come First in Montana's Race to the Top Proposal 06/18/2010 Guest Editorial by Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau
Health insurance shocker 04/07/2010 Some MEA-MFT members in the MUST insurance plan will see huge increase in rates. Montana Sen. Jon Tester pleads our case before Congress. Read message from MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver and watch Sen. Tester's testimony.
Rob Thomas of UM Western named 1 of 4 U.S. Professors of the Year 04/07/2010 Sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the U.S. Professor of the Year program...
Work That Matters campaign 04/06/2010 MEA-MFT's Work That Matters campaign for public employees is back: MEA-MFT celebrates with help from a special national guest.
New: Electronic lifetime retired membership 04/02/2010
10th annual MEA-MFT Representative Assembly 03/27/2010 Your union, your voice! Hundreds of locally elected MEA-MFT members will gather to determine budget, dues, and priorities for their state union -- AND to celebrate MEA-MFT's 10th anniversary. Read more.
Thumbs down to Obama Administration's blueprint for k-12 public schools 03/17/2010 Obama Admin. releases blueprint for public schools. Teachers have severe concerns.
You may qualify for student loan assistance 03/03/2010 Student loan forgiveness: Need help paying your student loan? Many Montana teachers and licensed professionals may qualify for loan assistance programs.
Montana's state budget woes. 02/18/2010 Proposed cuts available online
MEA-MFT launches its award-winning Work That Matters campaign for public employees. 01/25/2010 AFT President Randi Weingarten was a special guest at our kick-off party Jan. 21. Read more. And watch a short video of Weingarten's visit.
MEA-MFT Faculty Member of the Year 01/01/2010 Nominate by Jan. 15, 2010. Nomination info
MEA-MFT to U.S. Education Secretary 10/29/2009 Race to the Top? MEA-MFT and other education leaders have serious misgivings about the Obama Administration's proposed grant guideslines.
CUF links: MEA-MFT faculty members get mobilized 10/12/2009 Oct. 09 - For decades, Montana's public colleges and universities have been like 14 different islands, isolated and competing against each other for funding and resources.
Health care reform Montana style 10/10/2009 Innovative prescription drug plan will save money for state & university employees.
AFT's new e-newsletter for higher ed members. 10/08/2009 he American Federation of Teachers, one of MEA-MFT's two national affiliates, has created a new e-newsletter dedicated to the AFT's Faculty and College Excellence (FACE) campaign and other issues related to academic staffing in higher education.
UM members settle contract 10/07/2009 Oct 7, '09 - After more than ten months of bargaining, MEA-MFT members in the University Faculty Association (University of Montana) have a tentative agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Foundation names Montana Teacher of the Year 2010 10/05/2009 In September, Anne Keith of Bozeman received that highest honor when she was named Montana Teacher of the Year for 2010.
Do sweat the small stuff: 09/02/2009 DPHHS members learn workplace problem-solving skills
AFMSU members adopt constitution, elect officers. 08/20/2009 Congratulations, AFMSU!
MEA-MFT battles privatization. 06/03/2009 MEA-MFT brings suit against the Montana Department of Corrections to require it to follow state law before outsourcing work that has historically been performed by public employees.
Senator Jon Tester visits Great Falls Head Start 05/01/2009
Million dollar men 05/01/2009 MEA-MFT members at UM Western win major grants for biomedical research.
Connecting the dots 04/29/2009 MEA-MFT member Karen Giuliani featured in national publication
Growing made-in-Montana higher education 04/20/2009 Two stories follow. All about Montanans - traditional and nontraditional students - pursing Montana higher education opportunities.
MSU vote - the word spreads! 04/15/2009
MSU-Bozeman faculty vote to join MEA-MFT! 04/14/2009 April 14, 2009 - "MEA-MFT is proud to welcome our newest members and local bargaining units, the Associated Faculty of Montana State University in Bozeman," said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver today.
Where we are: List of Montana campuses with MEA-MFT faculty unions 03/07/2009
Can hives save lives? Better bee-lieve it 02/06/2009
Historical society members fill a void 02/02/2009 New Montana History textbook has MEA-MFT members' fingerprints all over it.
MEA-MFT goes to bat for state funding of Head Start 02/01/2009
Victory for Missoula Head Start members 01/28/2009 Defending their rights.
'Work That Matters' wins 4th national award 06/01/2007
Work That Matters saves probation & parole jobs 03/27/2007 MEA-MFT reactivates our award-winning Work That Matters ad campaign.
Walking the line 05/29/2006 Correctional Officers at Montana State Prison keep us safe, despite tough conditions.
Hazardous duty 04/02/2006 Members learn to stop toxic leaks.
The TransCor nightmare 02/01/2006 Escaped prisoners illustrate why privatization doesn't work


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FILESHARING AN ALBUM by Beyonce has got a Swede in some very big trouble.
The pop star represented by Sony saw an early preview of her album released to filesharing websites before anyone had the chance to hype it up and push it to the market.
According to a post at Torrent Freak, Sony cried havoc and let slip the dogs of copyright law on a filesharing Swede in 2011. It presented him with the sort of bill that banksters and pimps spend on their wardrobes. Those dogs, we understand, were carrying a bill for $233,000, or £150,000, or 1.5 million kronor.
Sony filed the lawsuit and asked for the cash, and apparently it looks like it will get its wish. The amount is said to be based on lost sales, marketing costs and the firm's relationship with Beyonce. We are trying to confirm this with Sony in the UK.
Wikipedia has it that Beyonce recorded as many as 72 songs for the album. Around a dozen made it to the final pressing. It was a solid number one release in the US and UK and other territories, and claims decent scores from critics.
It was due out in the early summer, but our Swede took the 'early' bit too seriously and leaked it to filesharing websites on 8 June, as opposed to the planned 24 June. The accused is said to be a music industry insider, but this could mean anything from a producer to a runner.
At the time Beyonce said that she was sad about the leak, but glad that people liked the album.
"My music was leaked and while this is not how I wanted to present my new songs, I appreciate the positive response from my fans. When I record music I always think about my fans singing every note and dancing to every beat," she wrote on Facebook.
"I make music to make people happy and I appreciate that everyone has been so anxious to hear my new songs." µ
Tags: copyright

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Two Die in Faulkner County, Arkansas Fire
GUY, Ark. (AP) -- Two teenagers died in fire at a mobile home where the occupants were using an oven as a source of heat, Faulkner County authorities said.
The mother of the victims, Angela Englant, told authorities that she thought her daughters were behind her as she fled the burning home. Once outside the home near Guy, Englant said neighbors helped her break windows to try to reach the young people, but the flames early Saturday kept them out.
Firefighters identified the dead as Taffanie Byrd, 19, and Sherri Englant, 16. Greenbrier Assistant Fire Chief Curtis Bradley said the victims appeared to have become disoriented before dying of smoke inhalation.
The mother told firefighters that a pet woke her up and that she saw flames. She said her daughters were with her in the living room and they were heading for the front door.
Guy Fire Chief Wesley Stephens said the victims could have gone back for something or could have gotten lost in the smoke.


text:
Smokes rises from the scene the deadly plane crash just outside the YMCA in Bellevue as investigators look over the scene Tuesday. / Samuel M. Simpkins / The Tennessean
A day after a fiery plane crash beside the Bellevue YMCA, locals quietly went about their business, buying groceries and coffee or dropping off their kids at Harpeth Valley Elementary School.
But beneath the veneer of normalcy, many were still reeling from the carnage that struck in the midst of the sprawling community filled with young families and development.
The small plane slammed into the ground on the Y�s property, just missing the building, which had up to 300 people inside. A slight change in its trajectory could have brought it down on a busy grocery store, a strip mall, a church or a residential street.
The Rev. Jason Ingram could see the smoldering wreckage when he walked outside Harpeth Heights Baptist Church, which overlooks the Y�s property. The senior pastor was astounded.
�The simple fact that that person landed at that small piece of property, the one place they could have, is really nothing short of an act of God,� he said. �That took a lot of skill to be able to do that, a lot of luck, a lot of protection.�
Moments after the crash, the phone began ringing at the Academy of Harpeth Village, a preschool near the crash site where kids were waiting for their parents to pick them up.
Worried parents flooded the center with calls asking about their children.
�It�s very close to us,� Assistant Director Tori Bachelor said. �We are just really grateful here at the academy that no one on the ground was injured.�
The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that it was too soon to say if pilot Glenn Mull, who was killed in the crash, intentionally brought the plane down on a small sliver of vacant land. Still, some credited Mull for guiding the plane away from buildings.
Jon Storey�s wife had been inside the Y with their three children, a 6-year-old and 3-year-old twins, when the building was evacuated. The kids were scared when they got home, but Storey was grateful they walked away unscathed.
�Be thankful for that pilot,� he said. �That was his last act.�
Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.


text:
April 2015
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Mon Sep 5, 2011
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When it comes to fighting the good fight many investors have headed off to the court rooms and have had some mixed results
By Susan Barreto
Institutional investors are still assessing the education they have had at the hands of the hedge fund industry. And unfortunately some are still doing their homework.
Ten years plus of chronicling investors' adventures here at InvestHedge has revealed the ups and downs of the swings and slides during investors' recess time in the playground of global markets.
Perhaps the hardest – and arguably the best – lessons learned in the hedge fund playground surely include the equity crisis after the tech bubble, the fraud legacies that started with Bayou, via Petters and the spectacular finale of the Madoff Ponzi scheme.
The playground fist fights, name calling and even some old-fashioned mud-slinging, included the Amaranth blow-up, Lehman and credit collapse, as well as the placement agent scandals that were rife in the US. Just when the investors thought it was safe and the bullies were under lock and key, Galleon hit the headlines.
Making friends on the playground has been a struggle. Investors coming to terms with their attendance at the school of hard knocks are likely to help future hedge fund allocators as they themselves learn the best lessons by having skin in the game as they make their way to the classroom.
When it comes to fighting the good fight many investors have headed off to the court rooms and have had some mixed results. For example, over the summer there was talk that shares in Madoff feeder funds on the secondary market were being bought and sold for 70 cents on the dollar as some investors were expected to be made 100% whole.
It seemed that some outstanding lawsuits filed by the Madoff trustee Irving Picard were going to be successful, but that has not been the case as a new round of liquidations is only just beginning.
Credit investors have slugged it out on the teeter totter as Europe and the US deal with sovereign debt crises. At Houston Municipal Employees' Pension System, the credit crisis came home to roost in late 2008.
Earlier this year the $2.5 billion pension fund sued Highland Capital over its Highland Crusader Fund, which the pension fund claims was harmed by not being managed in the best interests of the partnership and its limited partners. Highland says it is one of the fund's largest investors and continues to maximise Crusader's performance, helping to nearly double the fund's value over the last two years.
In the name-calling category has been the placement agent scandal that has called into question the hiring process used by every public pension fund in the US. It has touched a fair number of hedge fund allocations across the country, most recently leading some trustees for the Kentucky Retirement System to question the hiring of a multi-strategy hedge fund over an original plan to hire funds of hedge funds (see page 11).
The latest US scandal is further south in Louisiana. Three Louisiana-based pension funds are still waiting to be repaid by Fletcher Asset Management after their withdrawal notices were followed up with an IOU from the manager (see page 10).
This almost unbelievable story involves the cold hard reality of learning to read the fine-print of an investment contract, something Donna Walker at Sire Management highlights in her look at investor-unfriendly contracts (see page 64). While the sum in the Fletcher case is less than $100 million, it brings with it a new perspective about how investors need to approach hedge fund expectations.
Then there is CalPERS – taking some notes from the school yard bully. Officials have focused on realigning contracts with underlying hedge fund managers to ensure fair play. The largest US pension fund (see page 18) has taken a number of years to get the job done and is only now adding new names to its hedge fund portfolio.
Despite all of this investors can be optimistic they can ultimately graduate from the school of hard knocks together even if they sport some scrapes and bruises.
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November 23, 2013, 07:11 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 30, 2011
Location: Monterrey/hayward
Posts: 767
RIA 1911 tactical, anything i need to know before shooting?
well im picking up a 1911 Rock island armory , tactical.
just asking if there is anything i should know thats different from a normal 1911, like say my kimber one. ~thanks DUZ Rock Island Armory M1911-A1 FS Tactical |
November 23, 2013, 07:22 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2005
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,773
You should know that once you shoot it, you'll be mad that you spent twice as much on the Kimber.
2A: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." US Army Combat Veteran and Paratrooper: OIF (2008, 2009, 2010) and OND (2011). Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal recipient. NRA Lifetime Member. I'm a lawyer, but not YOUR lawyer and I have not offered you legal advice. |
November 23, 2013, 09:50 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: August 14, 2013
Posts: 11
+1 for the RIA. I have a Citadel which is from the same factory as the RIA. Shot at the range last summer and a gentleman who owns a Kimber shot the Citadel commenting it very similar feel to the trigger and accuracy about the same as the Kimber. Shook his head and said, "Why did I get the Kimber? Nice piece."
November 24, 2013, 09:53 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 11, 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 797
The FS tactical is still the best budget priced 'enhanced' 1911 out there IMO. Liked my first enough to get a second. They're solid and backed by some of the best CS in the industry.
November 24, 2013, 11:04 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 23, 2012
Posts: 423
Your RIA has a lifetime warranty. When did you Kimber warranty expire?
November 24, 2013, 11:12 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 6, 2005
Location: Beyond OZ
Posts: 242
My son in-law wants one, what did you pay for it?
November 24, 2013, 12:16 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 30, 2011
Location: Monterrey/hayward
Posts: 767
@pat701, its 525$ at my local gunshop, but in CA you have to be a dealer for RIA to sell it , because its restricted here. this is the tac series, look into the tac II as thats the new version they are selling (i just cant get one in CA), but for a few more dollars it comes with a lot more.
the kimber is very picky about being clean. its the match kimber that was bought to do competition shooting. i was actually getting the RIA as my home defense 1911. |
January 9, 2014, 06:33 AM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 3, 2013
Posts: 10
I just picked up my FS Tac II with the VZ grip.. Haven't shot it yet.. But, I am amazed at what you get for the money. I paid about 50 more for it:
Includes: Ambi Safety Extended Beavertail Fiber Optics Front Sight/Adjustable Rear Site 8 round mag (also bought a WC mag as number 2) VZ G10 heavily textured grip (great purchase) I'll let you know how it shoots.... |
January 10, 2014, 01:52 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 24, 2001
Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA
Posts: 878
I bought one in 2010. Love it, the warranty and the great CS from Arnel and the bunch at Armscorp.
I bought a second one early this summer, I like their products so much. I also picked up a RIA officers [compact is their term] frame to use for a dedicated .22lr conversion 1911. I also have a Kimber [purchased used], a Sistema from 1960, and a Caspian. I sold my Springfield Loaded blackened Stainless target model and I could pay for 2 RIA tacticals for the same money as the SA cost. Yes, Forged v Cast frames. MIM parts, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah. I was at the range a year ago and two guys next to me said I should be in a commercial for RIA, due to the accuracy I was getting from it compared to their Colt and Kimber full-sized 1911s. My groups were about 1/3 the size of theirs at the same distance, consistently. I let them think it was the gun, because I KNOW I am not that good of a shooter! If you are a functionalist, who is concerned with the ability to have fun and save your life, the RIA Tactical is a GREAT gun! If you are someone who wants it for the art of a gun, for the bragging rights, for the all-forged character of the gun, or other more esoteric reasons: RIA may not be the right fit for you. I want my 1911 to be reliable, be more accurate than I am, and be fun to shoot. The RIA has proven itself to me in all three categories. So much so that I now own 2 1911 tacticals [one with the rail]. Great product for the user. May not be much good for the 'collector', who is concerned with the resale value of his/her purchase. But, if you want a 1911 to SHOOT, and not worry if it gets knocked around a bit, the RIA Tactical is a great option! |
January 10, 2014, 04:07 AM | #10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 3, 2013
Posts: 10
Went to the range yesterday and put 100+ rounds through my Rock Island Tactical II FS with the VZ grip... Very nice shooter. But, made the following observations and had minor issue:
1) Had to raise the rear sight (adjustable) since it was shooting a little low. But of course my vision isn't great and it shoots better then I can. Problem solved 2) The armscor mag that accompanied the gun is not the best. Doesn't retract the slide after 8 shots all the time... I also had a WC 8 round clip and it functions well without that issue so I don't believe it is the gun. Read of this issue before. 3) The trigger is just right for me and has a very nice SA feel 4) Store bought rounds had no failures.. Had a couple on my reloads. But I guess that is to be expected since I haven't fine tuned the cartridge for the gun. 5) Spoke with Armscor and they said send the clip back and they will replace it no questions asked. I purchased a second WC 8 round mag at the range.. 6) The VZ grip is fantastic.. After 100 rounds, very comfortable with no negative issues. 7) Overall, I am very pleased with the gun. It looks great, shoots great, has good recoil management, and the price was right... |
January 10, 2014, 07:43 AM | #11 |
Join Date: January 2, 2012
Posts: 36
Mine needs the safety levers de-horned a bit but otherwise I'm all smiles.
January 10, 2014, 08:02 AM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 23, 2012
Posts: 423
Very interesting range report, too. |
January 10, 2014, 12:52 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1,030
Sloppy fit, sharp corners inside and out that may not have been deburred, cheap sights, cheap grips (unless you get the VZ grips model), cheap trigger with gritty feel and crunchy break, cheap throwaway magazines, loose fit of grip safety, thumb safety, cheap finish, ugly lettering... You have to be blind to think that this gun is anything but a 600 dollar 1911 and the comparisons to American guns that have actually had some fitting makes me scratch my head.
RIAs either work out of the box or they don't. They're a great value if you're experienced with working on 1911s and don't mind taking one apart and polishing all the rough surfaces and replacing some of the junk parts--but that costs time and money. I bought one of the monolith knockoff 10mm guns. It took me about two weeks and 150 bucks of parts to actually get it to work and look right. If you are considering a RIA, consider spending a few bucks more and get a Springer.
OK, so not all plastic guns are bad |
January 10, 2014, 07:52 PM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 12,023
http://blackpowdertimes.com/index.php |
January 11, 2014, 11:18 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 23, 2013
Location: Central Pennsyltucky...
Posts: 505
Wow, the latest Cheaperthandirt catalog, along with their website, lists it for $429 and free shipping to the FFL of your choice.
Not saying, just saying... And yes, I'm saving my pennies for one of these.. |
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Brandywine Militaria
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14/MSaar NSKK Collar Tab Set Westmark - Scarce Early
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for item
This is a scarce and highly deirable pair of collar tabs. Saar and Prag were the two motor formations that were allowed to have the full name of their location on their collar tabs. This pair is from Motorsturm 14 of Motorstandarte Saar. The rank is Sturmfuhrer which is the lowest officer rank on the NSKK scale. I believe this particular unit with others were combined to form the motorized group Westmark. Such NSKK units were basically training grounds in which the panzer and motorized formations of the military drew their personnel as well as other tasks. This pair has matching buckram backings and are in great condition with well sunk in devices. Comes from an advanced collection and scarce enough I could find no other examples available for sale.


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CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago attorney Colleen Gorman has a holiday ritual that doesn't involve buying presents or counting down to midnight: She goes online looking for new hangover remedies.
The 28-year-old's fiance tells her she should probably just drink less.Experts say that's good advice for everyone.
In fact, the only way to prevent a hangover is to not get drunk.
But there are strategies to soften the blow. Experts say not drinking on an empty stomach tops the list because food helps absorb alcohol and delay toxic effects on the body.
Drinking plenty of water before, during and after also helps because alcohol can dehydrate the body.
But researchers note that preventing hangovers is a challenge because no one's pinpointed a cause.
Read more at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Would you like to contribute to this story? Join the discussion.


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MIB Soldiers Of The World, Door Gunner Currently priced at $ 18.00 MIB Soldiers Of The World, Door Gunner. This American figurine is inspired from the Vietnam War, 1961 to 1975 and the back of the box (or side) includes a short timeline history of this war. This is a 12 inch fully poseable figurine with changeable outfits (uniforms, equipment belts, helmets) and...
What is the maximum you'd pay for this?
$ Currently priced at $ 18.00.
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Pickers and Tiquers Contact us! 176 West Barlow RoadHudson, OH 44236United States Updated Monday, May 04 2015Product descriptions copyright© 2015 Pickers and TiquersAll else copyright© 1995-2015 TIAS.com All rights reserved.


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Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) DePuy Synthes Spine is expanding its reach in the spine market with U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance of three of its systems for use in adolescents with scoliosis undergoing posterior noncervical pedicle screw fixation.
The Expedium, Viper and Viper 2 spine systems, which are already cleared for use in adults, received the additional 510(k) clearance last month, the company said today. The Viper and Viper 2 have been used in minimally invasive spine surgeries since 2005 and 2008, respectively, and the Expedium 4.5 Spine System for use in small statue patients was launched in 2008.
An estimated 30,000 children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are fitted with a brace each year, according to the National Scoliosis Foundation. Those with a spine curvature that exceeds 45 degrees may be recommended for spinal fusion surgery, in which pedicle screws are often used in conjunction with autograft or allograft to affix rods to the spine.
J&J's competitor Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) was first to receive FDA clearance of a pedicle screw system to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in December of 2010 and also received clearance for its TSRH Spinal System for use in adolescents in September of last year. But DePuy Synthes has previously addressed the adolescent spine market with a saliva-based genetic test, ScoliScore, developed by Axial Biotech to predict the risk of curve progression in children ages 9 through 13 diagnosed with AIS.
DePuy, which generated sales of $5.8 billion in 2011, acquired skeletal fixation company Synthes Inc. for $19.7 billion in April of last year.
By Deanna Pogorelc MedCity News
Deanna Pogorelc is a Cleveland-based reporter who writes obsessively about life science startups across the country, looking to technology transfer offices, startup incubators and investment funds to see what's next in healthcare. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ball State University and previously covered business and education for a northeast Indiana newspaper.More posts by Author


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La Vette 5pts Rumor has it there may not be AWD, I Don't think MB could do a FWD AMG personally. If the regular A is 30 k, I would add 20K to its price, judging by the clk prices.
Blueballs 5pts Got me excited, for a second I thought they are gonna put a 4.5 V8 under the hood..oh well
chimp 5pts nice car, but I just don't see the potential for a 50 to 55k price range.. at the end of the day, it's still a little hatch.. as far as the power, it's great and all but there's tons of options that provide that much power in that price.. the STi being one of them.. i think the STi is now a hatch right??
Mark 5pts I like the A-class but I'd be happy with the new 2 liter turbo with about 200HP. For the money the AMG will cost there are better cars out there.
ElonaReverof 5pts You can almost hear the established businessmen tripping over themselves in excitment that they can drag race stoplight to stoplight kids half their age in used civics, for the low low price of what? 55k+


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"Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire" has gotten this month's batch of CoroCoro reveals, which have also been confirmed by The Pokemon Company International and Nintendo.
This time, there's an announcement that three new Mega Evolutions will be coming to "Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire," reports Serebii. The first is the Mega Altaria, a Dragon/Fairy type Pokemon with Pixilate and an increased Attack and Special Attack though decreased Defense, the Mega Salamence, which has an increased Defense and the Mega Lopunny, a Normal/Fighting Pokemon that has the High Jump Kick.
Serebii also features a couple of screenshots of the CoroCoro leaks featuring the newest addition to the list of Mega Evolutions in "Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire," as seen in the link above.
A Limited Rare Pokemon Coming for 'Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire'
"Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire" may come in packed with a lot of Mega Evolutions, as a new trailer shows off these, plus a chance to get another rare Pokemon for fans who are willing to buy the game early.
Polygon reports that gamers who will purchase a copy of "Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire" before the launch can receive the Shiny Beldum with a Mega Stone through a character distribution event.
The trailer shows off the evolution of the Shiny Beldum into the Shiny Metang and finally the Shiny Metagross. This last evolution can easily be transformed into a Shiny Mega Metagross with a Mega Stone.
Pikachu Cosplay via the Pokemon Contest Spectacular
Mega Evolutions are not the only ones taking center stage for the new reveals for "Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire," as a Cosplay Pikachu, teased previously for the game, has also been given more details.
GameSpot reports that the Cosplay Pikachu is an upgrade of the normal Pikachu in the sense that the former has different abilities that cannot be learned by the latter. One example for this is the Pikachu Rock Star, which has a Steel-type move called Meteor Mash. Other Cosplay Pikachu types with revealed powers include the Pikachu Pop Star which has the Draining Kiss, a Fairy-type move that is effective against the Dragon-type Pokemon.
Each Cosplay Pikachu has a corresponding special move that is effective in battle against various types of Pokemons. Think of it as a power upgrade for the Pikachu that comes with the costume.
All of these can be seen in the latest trailer for "Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire" as featured below.
Read more gaming and tech news:
Assassin's Creed Unity and Rogue: New Gameplay Spotted and More Details for PS3, Xbox 360 Game
Horror Highlights: Resident Evil HD Goes to PS4, Xbox One and PC


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Hi, I want to build recursively defined, piecewise functions. I first defined my zero-order functions
N40(xi)=piecewise(0<xi and xi<=1);
N50(xi)=piecewise(1<xi and xi<=2);
and I can plot them with desired result
but, how do I combine them, to make first order functions?
for instance, I want to have a function matematichally defined by:
N41 = (xi-1)*N40 + (2-xi)*N51
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